Curse might be a little strong of a word, but the Chicago Bears are the only team in the NFL to not have a quarterback throw for 30+ passing touchdowns. I bet you thought I was going to bring up not having a 4,000-yard passer. That is also another issue and the Bears are one of only three teams to not accomplish this task. Doesn't it seem like this franchise is cursed at the quarterback position?
I am not sold on Justin Fields exceeding 4,000 yards passing this season. I do think he gets somewhat close and will finish with 4,000+ total yards when combined with his yards on the ground. As it stands, Erik Kramer holds the Bears' franchise single-season passing records for both yards and touchdowns. In 1995, he threw for 29 touchdowns and 3,838 yards. He added another touchdown on the ground to finish with exactly 30 total touchdowns.
Jay Cutler also has a single season (2014) with 30 total touchdowns, but he threw for 28 and ran for two. He finished second in franchise history in passing yards that season too with 3,812. He had a chance to be the first QB in Chicago Bears history to throw for over 4,000 yards and reach 30+ passing touchdowns that year, but he only played 15 of 16 games.
The next-closest Bears quarterbacks to almost reach the 30+ passing touchdown mark were Mitchell Trubisky and Sid Luckman. Luckman had 28 passing touchdowns in 1943 and added a rushing touchdown to reach 29 total for the year. Trubisky had 24 passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns for 26 total in 2018.
Can Justin Fields finally break the Chicago Bears QB curse?
We are looking ahead and Justin Fields looks to be that guy. Many people have doubts, but I don't. I have seen the progress he made throughout the back half of last season. He now has better weapons. I don't think this team starts throwing the ball enough for him to reach the 4,000 mark, but I do think he can hit the 30-passing touchdown mark.
Fields had 25 total touchdowns last year, but only 17 came through the air. It will be a big jump for him to throw an additional 13 touchdowns, but this franchise needs to see a competent passer. It can no longer be the only team without a 30+ passer. That is just sad. What do you think? Can Justin Fields break the Chicago Bears quarterback curse?